{ "id": 8627665, "name": "ZEB V. KIRK and VIRGINIA SMITH YOUNG, Co-Executors of JASON B. STRANGE, Deceased, v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY", "name_abbreviation": "Kirk v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance", "decision_date": "1961-05-10", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "651", "last_page": "657", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "254 N.C. 651" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "222 P. 2d 376", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 408037 ], "year": 1950, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/okla/203/0372-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 P. 742", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "year": 1924, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "158 S.E. 386", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "200 N.C. 722", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625785 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/200/0722-01" ] }, { "cite": "30 N.J. Law 473", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J.L.", "case_ids": [ 377865 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/njl/30/0473-01" ] }, { "cite": "18 A.L.R. 2d 713", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 2d", "year": 1950, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "42 N.W. 2d 753", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "year": 1950, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "327 Mich. 595", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mich.", "case_ids": [ 1907039 ], "year": 1950, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mich/327/0595-01" ] }, { "cite": "6 F. 2d 964", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1674015 ], "year": 1925, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/6/0964-01" ] }, { "cite": "194 N.Y.S. 626", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "year": 1922, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "191 S.E. 10", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N.C. 507", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627808 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "513" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0507-01" ] }, { "cite": "98 S.E. 2d 345", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "246 N.C. 447", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626884 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "448" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/246/0447-01" ] }, { "cite": "69 S.E. 214", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "153 N.C. 285", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272223 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "288" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/153/0285-01" ] }, { "cite": "47 A.L.R. 2d 1017", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "216 F. 2d 226", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 529915 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/216/0226-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 F. 2d 297", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1101906 ], "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/115/0297-01" ] }, { "cite": "18 A. 2d 397", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "year": 1941, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "127 Conn. 516", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Conn.", "case_ids": [ 1622975 ], "year": 1941, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/conn/127/0516-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 S.E. 2d 395", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1942, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "134 F. 2d 784", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 3651020 ], "year": 1943, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/134/0784-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 S.E. 2d 372", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1943, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "238 N.C. 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8600811 ], "year": 1943, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "129" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/238/0127-01" ] }, { "cite": "98 S.E. 2d 355", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "246 N.C. 378", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626540 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "384" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/246/0378-01" ] }, { "cite": "117 S.E. 2d 733", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "253 N.C. 719", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626933 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/253/0719-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 S.E. 2d 438", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "250 N.C. 265", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8622350 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/250/0265-01" ] }, { "cite": "100 S.E. 2d 214", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "247 N.C. 72", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625253 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/247/0072-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 807, "char_count": 16740, "ocr_confidence": 0.575, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.882684406768105e-07, "percentile": 0.9009724119050956 }, "sha256": "5dd7d8b94177d8f45107fa8b529cf6c3e27c97b56ad16b02f1a364a7e15c01f0", "simhash": "1:266f74de567d3ebb", "word_count": 2764 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:52:35.681015+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "ZEB V. KIRK and VIRGINIA SMITH YOUNG, Co-Executors of JASON B. STRANGE, Deceased, v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "MooRE, J.\nJason B. Strange was employed by the Southern Railway Company in the car department. He worked in and out of the Spencer shops. On 26 November 1958 a railway car ran a \u201chot box\u201d at Hickory. The car had been \u201cjacked up\u201d and the wheels changed. Strange and one Peacock, in the course of their employment, were sent to return the jacks to the shops. For this purpose they used a specially equipped 2% ton Chevrolet maintenance truck owned and furnished by the Railway Company. They drove the truck to the location and prepared to load the jacks.\nThe truck had been \u201cstripped\u201d down, leaving of the original vehicle only the cab and chassis; and a special body was built on the back. The truck had one set of dual wheels on the rear, with fiat steel fenders over, and extending three inches beyond, the wheels. A hydraulic boom, 16 to 18 feet long, was mounted on and attached to the body. The boom was powered by a dynamo motor. Levers and two crane wheels for controlling the boom were mounted to the rear of the cab. The body had boxes, sections and compartments for storing and transporting tools, accessories, equipment, wood boards and wedges, chains, cables, hammers, train wheels, railroad jacks, and torches. There was a special place on the right side of the body for loading and carrying the jacks.\nThe jack which Strange and Peacock began loading first was three feet long and weighed about 250 pounds. A steel cable ran along the boom. At the end of the cable was a steel hook. Strange attached the hook to the jack. Peacock was at the controls to manipulate the boom. Strange remained on the ground to assist in guiding the jack to the proper position on the truck. To the right of and above the truck were high voltage electric transmission wires. In raising the jack, the boom and steel cable came into contact with the wires and Strange was electrocuted.\nPeacock recounts the occurrence as follows: \u201cHe (Strange) was standing between the right rear wheels and the wires. ... I could not see him but I would say he was approximately three or four feet from the truck. . . . The last thing I heard Strange say ... he had a habit of say (ing), \u2018hey\u2019, and that was the last thing I heard. ... I then got off the truck and went around and saw him lying on the ground .... I found his body lying at the right rear wheel. The closest part of his body to the wheel I would say was approximately six inches. His head was at the wheel and the body extended out toward the wire. . . . He was unconscious but breathing. . . . The j ack that we had swung around was hanging up over his body approximately three feet from the ground.\u201d\nJust prior to the accident the part of Strange\u2019s body nearest to the truck was his left hand. After the accident there were \u201ca few black spots on his left hand ... on the inside of the fingers near the end of the fingers.\u201d The truck was charged with electricity. Upon arrival at the hospital Strange was pronounced dead.\nOn 8 June 1958 defendant insurance company issued to Jason B. Strange and Southern Railway Company \u201cComprehensive Family Liability and Automobile Combination Policy No. 61-900-130. Endorsement 409B-1 was attached to and a part of the policy. The endorsement names Jason B. Strange as insured. The principal sum for death indemnity is $5,000. The pertinent portions of the endorsement are as follows:\n\u201cThe Company agrees with the named insured, in consideration of the payment of the premium and in reliance upon the declarations and subject to the limits of liability, exclusions, conditions and other terms of this endorsement and of the policy .... To pay the principal sum ... in the event of the death of the Insured which shall re-suit directly and independently of all other causes from bodily injury caused by accident and sustained by the insured while in or upon or while entering into or alighting from, or through being struck by, an automobile ....\n\u201cEXCLUSIONS. This insurance does not apply ... to bodily injury or death sustained in the course of his occupation by any person while engaged ... in duties incident to the operation, loading or unloading of, or as an assistant on, a public or livery conveyance or commercial automobile. ...\u201d\nThe premium had been fully paid and the insurance was in force at the time of insured\u2019s death. The annual premium on the Death Indemnity feature of the Endorsement was $1.80. Plaintiffs in apt time filed with defendant proof of loss and demanded payment of the principal sum. Defendant denied liability under the terms of the policy and this action was instituted.\nAt the trial defendant offered no evidence and moved for nonsuit at the close of plaintiffs\u2019 evidence. The motion was overruled and defendant excepted. The question for decision on this appeal is whether or not the court erred in refusing to nonsuit the action.\nIt is our opinion, and we so hold, that the trial court erred in denying defendant\u2019s motion for nonsuit.\nIn cases involving insurance contracts, the burden is on him who claims benefits thereunder to offer evidence which brings him prima facie within the coverage of the policy, and upon such showing the burden is upon the insurer to prove defenses under the exclusion clauses. Fallins v. Insurance Co., 247 N.C. 72, 100 S.E. 2d 214. \u201cWhen the plaintiff fails to show coverage under the insurance clause of a policy, nonsuit is proper. If the plaintiff\u2019s evidence makes out a case of coverage and at the same time establishes the defense that the particular injury is excluded from coverage, nonsuit is likewise proper.\u201d Slaughter v. Insurance Co., 250 N.C. 265, 108 S.E. 2d 438.\nIn the instant case, it is unnecessary to decide whether or not plaintiffs have made out a case of coverage under the insuring clause. It must be understood that we express no opinion on this question. Plaintiffs\u2019 evidence definitely shows that the injury to and death of Jason B. Strange, under the terms of the Exclusions clause, is excluded from coverage.\nIn their brief plaintiffs make the following admissions: \u201cIn all candor it must be conceded that the death of plaintiffs\u2019 intestate was sustained in the course of his occupation and while he was engaged in the duties incident to the loading the maintenance truck. It is admitted that the truck in question is under the holdings of this and other jurisdictions an automobile. The Death Indemnity Endorsement 409B-1 defines automobile as \u2018a land motor vehicle or trailer not operated on rails or crawlertreads . . . .\u2019 Thus the sole question is whether the heavy maintenance truck which plaintiffs\u2019 intestate (testate) was helping to load is \u2018commercial automobile.\u2019 \u201d\nPlaintiffs very properly conceded that the truck in question is an \u201cautomobile\u201d according to the definition contained in the policy itself, and under the decisions of this Court. Seaford v. Insurance Co., 253 N.C. 719, 117 S.E. 2d 733. The sole question for decision is: Is it a \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d?\nAn insurance policy is a contract between the parties, and the intention of the parties is the controlling guide in its interpretation. Gaulden v. Insurance Co., 246 N.C. 378, 384, 98 S.E. 2d 355. It is to be construed and enforced according to its terms. Haneline v. Casket Co., 238 N.C. 127, 129, 76 S.E. 2d 372. When the policy expressly defines such terms as \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d or \u201ccommercial use\u201d in reference to the coverage in question, the policy definition must be accepted and applied. Commercial Standard Insurance Co. v. Blankenship, 134 F. 2d 784 (6th Cir. 1943); American Casualty Co. v. Fisher, 23 S.E. 2d 395 (Ga. 1942); Manthey v. American Automobile Insurance Co., 127 Conn. 516, 18 A. 2d 397 (1941); Maryland Casualty Co. v. Tighe, 115 F. 2d 297 (9th Cir. 1940). Ordinarily the same words and phrases used in different clauses of an insurance contract will be understood to have been used in the same sense. Willingham v. Life & Casualty Co., 216 F. 2d 226, 47 A.L.R. 2d 1017. Thus when a term, such as \u201ccommercial automobile,\u201d is defined in an insurance policy, though not specifically in reference to the coverage in question, the definition will be applied to all clauses of the contract, including the coverage in controversy, unless it is made inapplicable by the express language of the contract, or is inconsistent with and repugnant to the provisions of the coverage under consideration. Lancaster v. Insurance Co., 153 N.C. 285, 288, 69 S.E. 214.\nThe main policy in the instant case is denominated \u201cComprehensive Family Liability and Automobile Combination Policy.\u201d \u201cJason Burgess Strange & Southern Railway\u201d are named insured. The main body of the policy provides five coverages: (B) Comprehensive \u2014 Loss or damage to automobile; (D-l) Deductible collision; (E) Property Damage Liability; (F) Bodily Injury Liability; (G) Automobile Medical Payments. The total premium is $111. The automobile described is a 1955 Cadillac 2-door coupe. The specified \u201cuse of automobile\u201d is \u201cPleasure and Business\u201d (not \u201cCommercial\u201d). There are the following definitions of automobiles as to use: \u201c(a) \u2018Pleasure and Business\u2019 means personal, pleasure, family and business use. (b) \u2018Commercial\u2019 means that the automobile is used principally in the business occupation of the named insured . . . including occasional use for personal, pleasure, family and other business purposes. Use of the automobile for the purposes stated includes the loading and unloading thereof.\u201d\nThe coverage involved here is set out in Endorsement 409B-1, attached to the policy above referred to. For a premium of $1.80 it provides a Death Indemnity of $5,000 should Jason B. Strange die as a result of accidental injury sustained while in or upon, or while entering into or alighting from, or through being struck by, an automobile. However, the Death Indemnity is not payable if the fatal injury is \u201csustained in the course of his employment ... in duties incident to the operation, loading or unloading of, or as an assistant on, a . . . commercial automobile.\u201d (Emphasis added). The language of the endorsement does not define \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d as therein used, nor does it exclude the term from the definition given in the main portion of the policy. The endorsement is an integral part of the policy. Lancaster v. Insurance Co., supra.\nThe purpose of the policy is to protect insured from financial loss and liability in the use of the Cadillac automobile for \u201cpleasure and business,\u201d and to provide indemnity for the death of Jason B. Strange resulting from accidental injury sustained, under specified circumstances, in the use of a \u201cpleasure and business\u201d automobile. The endorsement provides limited coverage, as indeed it must for a premium of $1.80. Marshall v. Insurance Co., 246 N.C. 447, 448, 98 S.E. 2d 345; Taft v. Casualty Co., 211 N.C. 507, 513, 191 S.E. 10. It is clearly not intended that the policy shall cover fatal injury by accident while insured is operating, an assistant on, loading or unloading a commercial automobile in the course of his employment.\nThe truck in question was used principally in the business of Southern Railway Co., and, therefore, a \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d according to the policy definition. This application of the policy definition of \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d is consistent with the general intent, meaning and express language of the policy.\nThe policy definition thus applied is in harmony with court decisions as to the meaning of \u201ccommercial automobile.\u201d Some authorities classify automobiles as \u201ccommercial\u201d by reason of type and structure, others with reference to use. Most cases employ both approaches.\n\u201cThe test is the character of the use of the vehicle taken into consideration with the form of the car.\u201d Zabriskie v. Law, 194 N.Y.S. 626 (1922). \u201cAn automobile truck is a vehicle for the conveyance for commercial purposes over ordinary roads, and the average type of that kind of vehicle is especially designed both in its propelling mechanism and in its body construction for that function.\u201d American-La- France Fire Engine Co., Inc. v. Riordan, 6 F. 2d 964 (2d Cir. 1925). \u201cThe words \u2018commercial use' connote use in business in which one is engaged for profit.\u201d Lintern v. Zentz, 327 Mich. 595, 42 N.W. 2d 753, 18 A.L.R. 2d 713 (1950). \u201cIn State v. D. L. & W. R. Co., 30 N.J. Law 473, it was held: \u2018By the term \u201ccommerce,\u201d is meant not traffic only, but every species of commercial intercourse, every communication, by land or by water, foreign or domestic, external and internal\u2019 . . . transportation is as much a part of commerce as are the goods transported.\u201d Conecuh County v. Simmons, 95 S. 488 (Ala. 1922).\nLloyd v. Insurance Co., 200 N.C. 722, 158 S.E. 386, involved a policy provision for indemnity for fatal injury sustained while riding in or driving a pleasure type automobile. The vehicle there in question was a 1 y<\u00bf ton Ford truck used principally on a milk route. This Court concluded: \u201cThe word \u2018type\u2019 used in the policy implies the idea of classification . . . the truck in which plaintiff\u2019s intestate was riding at the time of his death was by intention, use and construction a commercial vehicle and so classed by the North Carolina statute.\u201d (Emphasis added). Accord: Marshall v. Insurance Co., Supra.\nA passenger type automobile converted into a vehicle for the purpose of delivering groceries and other goods was held to be a truck. Filson v. Johnson, 222 P. 742 (Kan. 1924). A truck and semi-trailer designed for hauling oil field equipment was held to be a commercial vehicle, and the court said: \u201c. . . \u2018Commercial vehicles\u2019 is that type or make of vehicle designed for and adapted to commercial purposes regardless of the use to which said vehicle is put at any particular time.\u201d Corbett-Barbour Drilling Co. v. Hanna, 222 P. 2d 376 (Okla. 1950).\nThe vehicle plaintiffs\u2019 testate was loading at the time of his fatal injury was a \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d according to the policy definition, judicial decisions, and the common understanding of the term. Southern Railway was engaged in commerce for profit, the vehicle was used in its business exclusively, and it was a truck type motor vehicle designed to transport equipment and materials.\nThe judgment below is vacated and the ruling on the nonsuit motion is\nReversed.", "type": "majority", "author": "MooRE, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Stoner & Wilson and T. H. Suddarth, Jr., for plaintiffs.", "Walser \u25a0& Brinkley for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ZEB V. KIRK and VIRGINIA SMITH YOUNG, Co-Executors of JASON B. STRANGE, Deceased, v. NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.\n(Filed 10 May, 1961.)\n1. Insurance \u00a7\u00a7 3, 46\u2014\nIn an action on an insurance contract, the burden is upon plaintiff to show coverage under the policy and upon insurer to prove an asserted defense under the exclusion clauses, but when plaintiff\u2019s own evidence establishes that his claim falls within a clause excluding liability, non-suit is proper.\nS. Insurance \u00a7 3\u2014\nAn insurance contract is to be construed in accordance with the intention of the parties and must be enforced according to the terms of the agreement.\n3. Same\u2014\nWhere a term is defined in a contract of insurance, such definition will be applied to the term wherever used in the contract, including coverage and exclusion clauses, unless made inapplicable by the express language of the contract or unless inconsistent with and repugnant to the purpose and intent of the particular clause.\n4. Same\u2014\nAn endorsement is an integral part of the policy contract.\n5. Insurance \u00a7 47\u2014 Vehicle held \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d excluded from coverage under indemnity endorsement.\nThe policy in suit defined \u201ccommercial automobile\u201d as one used principally in the business occupation of the named insured, including loading and unloading thereof, and provided coverage for loss or damage to a designated automobile, owned by insured, and for personal and property damage liability, and medical payments. By endorsement, for a small premium, it provided indemnity for injury or death of insured resulting from an automobile accident, but excluded coverage for injury or death arising while insured was engaged in duties incident to the operating, loading, or unloading of a commercial automobile. Held: Insurer cannot be held liable for death of the named insured resulting while he was assisting in loading, in the course of insured\u2019s employment, a vehicle of insured\u2019s employer used in the performance of the employer\u2019s business.\nAppeal by defendant from Phillips, J., September 1960 Civil Term of DAVIDSON.\nAction by plaintiffs, Co-Executors of Jason B. Strange, deceased, to recover, on account of testate\u2019s accidental death, $5,000 death benefit under the terms of an insurance policy issued by defendant insurance company.\nThere was verdict for plaintiffs. Judgment was entered accordingly.\nDefendant appeals.\nStoner & Wilson and T. H. Suddarth, Jr., for plaintiffs.\nWalser \u25a0& Brinkley for defendant." }, "file_name": "0651-01", "first_page_order": 689, "last_page_order": 695 }